To make an ARK server, install SteamCMD on a 64-bit Windows or Linux host (Linux is supported natively by Survival Evolved), download the correct dedicated-server app, create a launch script, and open the server’s UDP ports in both the host firewall and router. Survival Ascended has different app and operating-system requirements: its dedicated server is intended for Windows or a Windows-like environment rather than native Linux. Once the process starts, players find it through the unofficial-server list or Steam’s game-server browser. This guide covers edition selection, hardware, SteamCMD commands, launch options, port forwarding, crossplay, administration, backups, updates, troubleshooting, and the choice between self-hosting and managed hosting.
Which ARK edition should you install?
Choose the edition before downloading anything. ARK: Survival Evolved and ARK: Survival Ascended use different Steam app IDs and have different operating-system support.
| Edition | SteamCMD app ID | Native server operating systems | Approximate installation storage | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARK: Survival Evolved | 376030 |
Windows and Linux | 18 GiB | Supports native Linux dedicated hosting and has a documented Epic crossplay mode. |
| ARK: Survival Ascended | 2430930 |
Windows or a Windows-like environment | 11 GiB | It does not support Linux natively. Dedicated hosting may be limited to personal, non-commercial use unless a Nitrado server licence is obtained; check the current licence terms before commercial use. |
The ARK Official Community Wiki describes the dedicated server executable (ArkAscendedServer or ShooterGameServer) as a 64-bit application, so the host operating system must also be 64-bit. Installing the wrong app ID can leave you with files for a different edition even though SteamCMD appears to complete successfully.
What hardware and internet connection does an ARK server need?
Storage is only the starting point. Memory usage grows as a world accumulates structures, creatures, containers, and players, while mods and older saves can make the footprint less predictable.
- Storage: allow about 18 GiB for a basic Survival Evolved installation or about 11 GiB for Survival Ascended, plus free space for updates, backups, logs, mods, and saved worlds.
- Memory: the ARK Official Community Wiki reports an average additional 50–150 MiB per connected Survival Evolved player. Treat that as a planning range, not a cap; map age, structures, creatures, storage, settings, and mods change actual use.
- Connection: a 100 Mb or better home connection is recommended for supporting a good number of players. On a VPS, the same guidance reports up to 60 KiB/s per connected player, depending on tick rate and world complexity.
- CPU and disk behavior: leave headroom for world saves, mod loading, and the operating system. A busy server that has no free memory or disk space can become unstable even when the initial installation was small.
For a private group, estimate your peak simultaneous players rather than the number of people invited. Add capacity for the map’s future growth and for a second copy of the save during backups.
How do I prepare the host?
Use a separate server directory
Create a directory used only for the server, such as C:/arkserver on Windows or /home/steam/servers/ark on Linux. Keeping the installation separate from a personal ARK client, unrelated applications, and manually edited saves makes permissions, updates, and recovery easier.
Choose an appropriate account
On Linux, run the service as a dedicated unprivileged account such as steam, not as root. On Windows, use an account that can read and write the installation directory and can create firewall and scheduled-task rules. The process needs write access to its save and log directories; otherwise a server may appear to start while silently failing to preserve progress.
Install SteamCMD
Download and install SteamCMD for the host operating system. SteamCMD downloads the dedicated-server files; it does not create a graphical control panel or configure ports, passwords, maps, or mods for you. Those tasks are handled by your launch script and operating-system/network settings.
How do I download the dedicated-server files with SteamCMD?
Run the following command from a shell, replacing both placeholders with the directory and app ID for your edition:
steamcmd +force_install_dir <install_dir> +login anonymous +app_update <app_id> validate +quit- For Survival Evolved, set
<app_id>to376030. - For Survival Ascended, set
<app_id>to2430930. - Set
<install_dir>to the dedicated directory you created, such asC:/arkserveror/home/steam/servers/ark. - Wait for SteamCMD to finish validating. The first download can be large and may take time on a slow connection.
Steam CDN throttling and anonymous-login limits can cause a download to fail or stall. If that happens, consult the current SteamCMD documentation, retry after the limit clears, and confirm the download actually completed before diagnosing ARK launch settings. A SteamCMD error by itself does not prove that the server command is wrong.
How do I create the ARK launch script?
Start with the smallest command that identifies the map, server name, player limit, ports, and administrator password. Add mods and advanced options only after this basic instance reaches the world.
Windows example for Survival Evolved
Create a batch file in ShooterGame/Binaries/Win64/, for example start-ark.bat:
ShooterGameServer.exe TheIsland?SessionName=MyARKServer?ServerPassword=JoinPassword?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=10?ServerAdminPassword=AdminPasswordReplace every example value. Use a session name that friends can search for, choose a join password if the server is private, and store the administrator password somewhere protected rather than posting it publicly.
Linux example
Create a shell script in ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux/ and use the Linux executable and path:
#!/bin/sh
cd /home/steam/servers/ark/ShooterGame/Binaries/Linux
./ShooterGameServer TheIsland?SessionName=MyARKServer?ServerPassword=JoinPassword?Port=7777?QueryPort=27015?MaxPlayers=10?ServerAdminPassword=AdminPasswordMake it executable with your normal file-permission tools, then run it as the dedicated server account. The working directory matters: an incorrect directory can prevent the executable from finding configuration, saves, or installed content.
What each basic option does
TheIslandselects the map in this example; substitute the map identifier for the world you intend to run.SessionNameis the searchable name displayed to players.ServerPasswordrestricts joining when set.Portis the game traffic port.QueryPortis used by server browsers to discover and display the instance.MaxPlayerssets the intended player limit for the process.ServerAdminPasswordis used for administrator commands after joining.
Keep the first launch simple. A typo in a map name, an unescaped special character in a password, or a missing executable path can make the process exit before it writes a useful log.
Which ports must I open?
A default instance needs matching rules in two places: the host’s local firewall and the router’s port-forwarding table. Forward the ports to the private IP address of the machine running ARK.
| Purpose | Protocol | Default port | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game traffic | UDP | 7777 | Yes |
| Peer traffic | UDP | 7778 | Yes |
| Steam query/browser listing | UDP | 27015 | Yes for normal discovery |
| Remote console (RCON) | TCP | 27020 | Optional; open only when configured and needed |
Configure the host firewall
Create inbound allow rules for UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015. Add TCP 27020 only if you deliberately enable RCON. Restrict the rule to the server executable or the intended network profile where your operating system permits that, and avoid opening unrelated ports.
Configure the router
Give the host a stable private address, then create UDP forwards for 7777, 7778, and 27015 to that address. If RCON is enabled, forward TCP 27020 as well. ARK does not use UPnP for this setup, so manual forwarding is normally required. A router rule aimed at the wrong machine, or a host address that changed after a reboot, makes a correctly running process appear unreachable.
Running multiple instances
Every additional instance needs its own game, peer, and query ports; do not assign the same range to two maps. Give each process a separate launch script and, where appropriate, separate save/configuration locations so one instance cannot overwrite another.
How do I start and find the server?
- Run the batch or shell script and watch the console until the map finishes initializing.
- Open ARK’s unofficial-server browser and search for the exact session name, or use Steam’s game-server browser.
- If you know the public address, Steam’s
GetServersAtAddressendpoint can help confirm whether the query port is advertising the instance. - Join from a client on the same network first if possible, then test from an external connection. A local test confirms that the process and basic firewall rule work; an external test also exercises router forwarding.
Do not assume that a process window means the server is listed. The query port, map initialization, and firewall rules all need to be working before browsers can display it.
How do I enable Epic crossplay for Survival Evolved?
For Survival Evolved crossplay with Epic players, the documented setup calls for -crossplay and -PublicIPForEpic=<IPAddress> on the command line. Use the server’s current public IP address for the latter, and confirm the current cross-platform behavior after game updates because platform requirements can change.
These flags are specific to the documented Survival Evolved Epic scenario. Do not copy them into a different edition’s command without checking that edition’s current server documentation.
How do I administer, update, and back up the server?
Grant administrator access
After joining the server, open the in-game command interface and run enablecheats <admin_password>, replacing the placeholder with the value in your launch command. Treat that password like a credential: share it only with trusted administrators and change it if it becomes public.
Back up the world before maintenance
Stop the server cleanly before copying files. Back up the complete ShooterGame/Saved directory before updates or major configuration changes. It contains world, tribe, player, configuration, log, and cluster data. Keep at least one copy outside the live installation so a failed update, permission error, or damaged save does not destroy both the active and backup copies.
Apply updates safely
Stop the process, copy ShooterGame/Saved, and repeat the same SteamCMD app-update command used for installation. Start the server again and check that the expected map, mods, and player data load. If the update changes a mod or server branch, allow extra time for validation before inviting players back.
Automate startup
Windows Task Scheduler can launch the batch file at boot or after a crash according to a schedule you define. On Linux, create a systemd service that uses the dedicated steam account, sets the working directory explicitly, and starts after networking is available. Keep restart behavior and logs visible so an automatic restart does not hide a repeating crash.
Why is my ARK server not listed or reachable?
The server process exits immediately
- Confirm that the executable path and map name are correct.
- Verify that the operating system is 64-bit and that the service account can execute the file.
- Check required runtime components and read the console output for a missing library or permission error.
- Run the basic command without mods or advanced flags, then add options one at a time.
The process runs but no one can find it
- Check UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015 in both the host firewall and router.
- Confirm that the router forwards to the host’s current private IP address.
- Compare the launch command’s
QueryPortwith the port you forwarded. - Search the exact session name and allow the world time to finish initializing.
- Use Steam’s server-browser tools to distinguish a listing problem from a connection problem.
Saves or characters disappear
Verify that the account running the process can read and write the installation directory. Make sure you are starting the same installation and map each time, and preserve ShooterGame/Saved during updates. A second server directory or a service running under a different account can make an intact save look missing.
Mods fail to install or load
Check SteamCMD access, the script’s working directory, and compatibility between each mod and the server branch. First prove that the unmodded server starts, then add mods gradually so the incompatible item is identifiable. Keep a copy of the working launch script and save before changing the mod set.
Epic players cannot join
For the documented Survival Evolved Epic setup, recheck -crossplay and -PublicIPForEpic=<IPAddress>, then verify that the public IP still matches the address used by the server. Recheck the flags after game updates.
Performance gets worse over time
Review memory headroom, map age, structures, creatures, storage, mods, player count, tick rate, and available bandwidth. The reported 50–150 MiB per connected Survival Evolved player is only an average; a mature, heavily modified world can require substantially more planning than a fresh map.
Should I self-host or use managed ARK hosting?
Self-hosting gives you direct control over files, settings, maps, and mods, but you are responsible for port forwarding, operating-system updates, backups, monitoring, and recovery. Managed hosting shifts much of that operational work to a provider and is often practical when your internet connection does not permit inbound ports or you need dependable restart automation.
| Decision factor | Self-hosted server | Managed hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront and recurring cost | Uses your hardware and connection; electricity and maintenance are your responsibility. | Requires a recurring hosting fee; exact plans and current terms vary. |
| Configuration and mods | Maximum access to launch files, saves, and mod installation. | Usually easier to operate, but available controls depend on the provider and plan. |
| Router and firewall access | Required for normal public hosting and manual forwarding. | Usually handled in the provider’s network. |
| Uptime and restarts | You configure Task Scheduler or systemd and supply the hardware. | Restart automation and monitoring are commonly included, subject to the service terms. |
| Backups | You must copy and retain ShooterGame/Saved. |
Backup frequency and retention must be verified; do not assume they replace your own export. |
| Operating-system support | You choose a compatible 64-bit host and maintain it. | The host’s supported edition and platform are determined by the provider. |
| Capacity | Limited by your CPU, memory, disk, bandwidth, and power availability. | Can be scaled within the provider’s player, memory, and bandwidth limits. |
For Survival Ascended, review the current licensing rules before commercial operation. The documentation notes that dedicated servers may be restricted to personal, non-commercial hosting unless a Nitrado server licence is obtained; licensing terms can change, so verify them for your region and use case.
What is the safest first-launch checklist?
- Confirm the edition, app ID, and 64-bit operating system.
- Create a dedicated installation directory and service account.
- Download and validate the server with SteamCMD.
- Launch one map with a simple command and a protected administrator password.
- Allow and forward UDP 7777, UDP 7778, and UDP 27015.
- Wait for world initialization, then test local and external discovery.
- Back up
ShooterGame/Savedbefore adding mods or applying updates. - Add crossplay flags, RCON, automation, and extra instances only after the basic server is stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run two ARK maps on the same computer?
Yes, but each process needs its own game, peer, and query ports, plus a launch script that identifies the correct map. Keep each instance’s save and configuration data separate so maintenance on one world cannot overwrite the other.
How can I rename my server without deleting the world?
Change only the SessionName value in the launch command and leave the existing ShooterGame/Saved directory in place. The world data is stored separately from the name players search for.
What should I do if my public IP address changes?
Update any public-IP value used by the launch command, especially -PublicIPForEpic in the documented Epic crossplay setup, and retest browser discovery. Players may need the new address before they can connect from outside your network.
Can I move an existing ARK world to a new host?
Stop the old process, copy the complete ShooterGame/Saved directory, and place it in the matching installation on the new machine. Start with the same map and compatible mod set, then confirm that the service account can read and write the copied files.